In the fourth edition of Foundations of Law, concentration on the overview of American law and its legal system permeates the book to assist readers in preparation for advanced study. Over forty excerpted judicial opinions are used to illustrate basic themes, and instructive case studies are presented to challenge users beyond acquiring knowledge, so that thorough understanding of concepts and their application in difficult scenarios can be achieved. Each chapter is designed for one week of study, and is written with clarity and conciseness to facilitate comprehension of the material. The addition of chapter review questions and websites promote learning and retention.